Improvement in counter-supports for boots and shoes



No.19r`75696.

W. H, VAN WORMBR. Counter-Supports for Boots and Shoes.

WVVNE E5 wm/FNTGR a@ 6W my N.PETERS. FHOTO-LlTHQGRAFHER..WSHINGTDN. Q. @y

UNITED STATES PAT-.TNT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. VANWORMER, OF PIERCETON, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF TWO- THIRDS HIS RIGHT TO CARSON PARKER AND GEORGE W. HAYES, OF

SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN COUNTER-SUPPORTS FOR BOOTS A-ND SHOES..

Specication forming part of Lettere Patent No. 197,696, dated November 27,1877; application filed v October 20, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. VANwoR- MER, of Pierceton, in the county of Kosciusko and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in CounterStays for Boots and Shoes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, illustrating the improvement.

The nature of the present invention consists in two plates of metal, formed to iit the sides of the counter between. the two layers of leather. The sides of the plates are rounded down at their ends, and are placed between the heel and side seams, so as to bring the inside of the counter even and smooth, .and the lower parts thereof are brought under the insole, that they may be secured by the pegs or nails which hold the heels in place.

I accept as the Vstate of the art that single heel-plates of metal have been placed back of the counters, and between the layers of leather; but the distinction is, thatmy improvement in two plates permits a free action oftheheel of a person in a boot or shoe, and allows a lateral movement of an easy nature, and cannot injure or eramp the heel, as when inclosed in the mostI tender part by an unyielding material. Further, my object is to prevent boots and 'shoes from ruiming over at the side of the heels-a desired attainment, which cannot be prevented by sole use of leather.

In the drawings, Figure l is aside elevation of a boot-counter, with the outer leather removed to show the side plate or stiffener; Fig. 2, a view of the plate removed and looking down on it Fig. 3, a cross-section of the counter and plate, taken on line a', Fig. 1.

' A represents the counter of a boot, B being the seam for uniting it with the vamp, and O the seam or stitching in the middle of the counter, conforming to the ordinaryr construction. G represents the lining of the counter A, both parts requiring nothing better than such upper-leather that the boot is made of as to material, although a much poorer grade of leather may be used for the lining G. On each side of the back seam or stitching C, and between the seams B, is placed my improved counter stay or support, which is made of soft iron or spring-brass, formed to correspond to the contour of the counter A, so far as it eX- tends, the lower part thereof extending under the insole F, that the pegs or nails which hold the heel on may hold the support in position.

In the manufacture of the stiffeners, sizes are selected to conform to the numbers of boots or shoes, and to attain uniformity in the construction dies for each sized stiffener should tional counter-stiffeners D E, adapted, as

shown and described, to be placed between the counter A and lining G, as and for the purpose stated.

WILLIAM H. VANWORMER.

Witnesses z WALTER CARRIER, J. E. BLAIsDELL. 

